'But you've always been so anxious for it.'

'Anxious? I haven't been anxious at all. But I dare say it's the
wisest thing she could do. I like Mutimer well enough.'

'Alfred, I don't think he's the proper husband for Adela.'

'Why not? There's not much chance that she'll get a better.'

Alfred was manifestly less cheerful than usual. When Letty continued
to tax him with it he grew rather irritable.

'Go and talk to her yourself,' he said at length. 'You'll find it's
all right. I don't pretend to understand her; there's so much
religion mixed up with her doings, and I can't stand that.'

Letty shook her head and sighed.

'What a vile smell of candle smoke there is here!' Alfred cried.
'And the room must be five or six degrees below zero. Let's go to
the fire.'

'I think I shall run over to Adela at once,' said Letty, as she
followed him into the hall.

'All right. Don't be vexed if she refuses to let you in. I'll stay
here with the youngsters a bit.'

The truth was that Alfred did feel a little uncomfortable this